“Is Dane here?” Lucy asked as she glanced around the room.
My mom answered, “He’s on his way to Long Island, but he wanted us to tell you, well, I can’t repeat what he said, but he’s thinking of you.”
When Lucy’s brows drew together in confusion, Gretchen spoke up. “Dane said to fuck ’em and not to let them get to you because they were all limp-dicked assholes.”
“Gretchen Margaret!” My mom scolded my sister, but that comment made Lucy laugh.
“Sorry, but I was just being honest.” Gretchen shrugged.
Lucy stood, drawing everyone’s attention to her. “I owe you all an explanation.”
“Sweetie, you don’t owe us anything.” My dad’s voice made her lips twitch into the semblance of a smile.
“Thank you, but I do. I need to tell you all my story.” She wiped a tear away and cleared her throat. “My real name is Abigail Winston. I changed my name when I left Colorado when I was nineteen. I did it because I didn’t want to be associated with my parents.”
Lucy looked at my mom and dad. “They weren’t like you; they were extremely judgmental and superficial.” Then she focused on my siblings before her gaze slid to me. “You all have no idea how lucky you are.”
Gretchen sniffed as a tear slid down her face, and she didn’t bother to wipe it away.
Lucy held her hand out to me, and when I took it, she mouthed, I’m sorry. I gave her a small nod, encouraging her to continue.
“When I was in high school, I fell for a boy, but he wasn’t what my parents had in mind for me. My mom would tell me he wasn’t up to par.” She let out a shaky breath. “His name was Greg, and I thought the sun rose and set because of him. The night before my sixteenth birthday, we had sex. He had already graduated and enlisted in the Army, so I wasn’t sure when I’d see him again, but I wanted him to be my first. We used protection, but I got pregnant. Naturally, my mom flipped out when she found out. When she realized I wasn’t yet sixteen and Greg had just turned nineteen when we had sex, she threatened to have him arrested unless I aborted the baby.”
“Oh, Lucy.” My mom jumped up to hug her. This time Lucy reciprocated her embrace, and brought her arms around my mom. When Lucy began to sob, my heart broke for her.
I stood and continued her story. I told them all about Greg and the fact that she thought he had died, but he was actually alive and well and that they saw each other. She finally had closure.
Lucy stepped out of my mom’s arms and sat down, so Mom and I followed suit and took our seats. “My parents don’t know where I am, or at least they didn’t. But I’m sure they do now. I can’t tell you how sorry I am for having embarrassed your family.”
“Don’t be silly, Lucy,” Dad said with conviction. “You’re the victim here, not us.”
Lucy nodded, but I knew she didn’t agree with him. “Maybe so, but I still feel horrible.”
Jack leaned forward. “How did the press find out?”
“That would be my fault.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Gretch and I were at an event, and I told her a little bit of Lucy’s story. Emily overheard.”
“Your ex-slut, Emily?” Josh shrugged. “Sorry, man, but she was the worst thing to happen to you.”
“She still is, and yes, I believe she’s to blame.” I went on to explain the rest of the story. As I did, Lucy dropped her head into her hands and rubbed her temples.
“Lucy.” My dad got up and walked toward her. “Why don’t you go lie down? You’re very pale.”
He picked up her wrist and held it with two fingers while he looked at his watch.
“Your blood pressure is high, my dear. You need to try and relax. We won’t leave. And if you need a sleep aid, I can prescribe something for you, but rest is what you need right now.”